Combination beach bag and blanket

ABSTRACT

A combination beach bag and blanket wherein the blanket is connected to a wall of the beach bag such that it may be folded and carried by the bag. The blanket has means for securing a towel thereto. The bag may be easily packed and transported.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a beach bag and more particularly, relates to a beach bag which includes a blanket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The term “beach bag” is generally used to designate a carrier which is taken on a trip, generally for pleasure. The trip may be to a beach or other recreational locale.

[0003] Generally, the beach bags are used to carry the requirements for such a recreational activity such as blankets, towels, sun screen, food, etc.

[0004] It is known in the art to have different combinations of bags and blankets. Thus, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,823, there is shown an article which is capable of being configured either as a blanket or as a carrying bag or a knapsack. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,227,751 discloses a combination garment and blanket. However, none of these references disclose a combination bag with a blanket or like substrate member and which may be used with towels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a beach bag with an accompanying blanket. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination beach bag and blanket and which is capable of carrying other accessory items.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination bag and blanket, the combination comprising a bag having first and second opposed bag side walls, first and second opposed bag end walls, the first and second bag end walls and first and second bag side walls defining therebetween a cavity, a blanket having first and second opposed blanket ends and first and second opposed blanket sides, the first blanket end being secured to a free marginal edge of the first bag side wall, the blanket having a blanket width extending between the first and second opposed blanket sides which is greater that a width of the bag between the first and second bag end walls, the blanket having means for securing a towel thereto, and carrying means secured to the carrier bag.

[0007] The beach bag of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment, generally comprises first and second opposed beach bag side walls, and first and second opposed beach bag end walls such that the carrier bag has a generally overall rectangular configuration. The blanket is also preferably of a rectangular configuration having a first and second opposed blanket sides and first and second opposed blanket ends. Naturally, other configurations can be utilized for the blanket. As previously mentioned, an end wall of the blanket is connected to an upper marginal edge of the first side wall of the bag. Although the connection can be made by sewing or any other suitable means of mechanical attachment, the blanket and carrier bag can also be formed as an intrical unit.

[0008] The material forming the blanket and the carrier bag can be any which is desirable and known in the art.

[0009] Similarly, the towel can be formed of any conventional material. The means for securing the towel to the blanket can vary and can use various mechanical connections. One such type of connection would be cooperating snaps, a portion being secured to the blanket and a further portion to the towel. Other options include the use of mechanical hook and loop fasteners such as those marketed under the trademark VELCRO.

[0010] The carrying means can include conventional straps and one or two of such straps can be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bag and the blanket in a closed condition with a side pocket open;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the side pocket closed;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the combination bag and blanket in an open condition ready to be secured to a substrate;

[0015]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a corner of the blanket in an open condition;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the bag and blanket in a closed condition; and

[0017]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a combination blanket and bag in an open condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to the drawings in a greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 a first embodiment of a combination bag and blanket and which is generally designated by reference numeral 10.

[0019] The combination bag and blanket 10 is comprised of a bag portion 12 and a blanket portion 14 as may be best seen in FIG. 3 in an open condition. Bag 12 has a front panel or wall 16, a back wall 18 and first and second end walls 20 and 22. Walls 16, 18, 20 and 22 define therebetween a cavity for purposes which will become apparent hereinbelow.

[0020] On front wall 16 there is a panel 24 and a flap 26. Flap 26 may be secured to panel 24 by means of a hook and loop fastener 28. Panel 24 and flap 26 thereby have a lockable compartment on front wall 16.

[0021] For purposes of carrying the bag, there is provided a handle member 30 and also first and second carrying straps 32 secured to the bag. On end wall 20, there is provided a pouch 34 to receive and carry a bottle 38. Last size retaining cords 36 are designed to retain the bottle 38 securely in position.

[0022] Blanket 14 has a pair of opposed side edges 42 and 44 and as may be seen in FIG. 3, end edge 48 is formed intrically with front wall 16 of bag 12 by means of a connecting portion 50.

[0023] Blanket 14 also has a number of apertures surrounded by grommets 52 which, in the illustrated embodiment, are located at the comers of blanket 14. A peg 54 is associated with each grommet 52 and peg 54 is connected by means of a cord 56. Pegs 54 may thus be used to secure the blanket to the substrate such as sand or earth. As best seen in FIG. 4, pegs 54 are inserted into a pocket formed in the blanket when not in use.

[0024] A towel 60 is provided to place on top of blanket 14 and with each towel having secured to blanket 14 by means of snaps 62.

[0025] As may be seen, blanket 14 may be folded and placed within the cavity defined by the walls 16, 18, 20 and 22. A pair of closure straps 66 and 68 may then be secured to buttons 70 and 72 respectively to thereby form a compact package. Towel 60 may be placed within the compartment defined by panel 24 and flap 26.

[0026] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, there are provided a plurality of towels 60, all held to the blanket 14 by means of snaps 62.

[0027] It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A combination bag and blanket, said combination comprising: a bag having first and second opposed bag side walls, first and second opposed bag end walls, said first and second bag end walls and first and second bag side walls defining therebetween a cavity; a blanket having first and second opposed blanket ends and first and second opposed blanket sides, said first blanket end being secured to a free marginal edge of said first bag side wall; said blanket having a blanket width extending between said first and second opposed blanket sides which is greater that a width of said bag between said first and second bag end walls; said blanket having means for securing a towel thereto; and carrying means secured to said carrier bag.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said carrying means comprises at least one carrying strap secured to said carrier bag.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said carrying means comprises first and second carrying straps secured to said bag.
 4. The combination of claim 1 further including bottle carrying means on an exterior of said bag.
 5. The combination of claim 1 further including means for securing said blanket to a substrate.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said blanket includes a plurality of apertures, a grommet being associated with each of said apertures.
 7. The combination 6 further including a plurality of stakes, each of said stakes being secured to said bag by a respective cord connected to said respective stake and grommet.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said blanket has means for securing a plurality of towels thereto.
 9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for securing a towel to said blanket comprises a snap element designed to receive a corresponding snap on a towel.
 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bag has an outer compartment formed on one of said bag side walls to receive said towel.
 11. In combination, a bag, a blanket and at least one towel; said bag having first and second opposed bag side walls, first and second opposed bag end walls, said first and second bag end walls and first and second bag side walls defining therebetween a cavity; a blanket having first and second opposed blanket ends and first and second opposed blanket sides, said first blanket end being secured to a free marginal edge of said first bag side wall; said blanket having a blanket width extending between said first and second opposed blanket sides which is greater that a width of said bag between said first and second bag end walls; said blanket having a first securing element; said towel having a second securing element designed to operate in cooperation with said first securing element for thereby securing said towel to said blanket; and carrying means secured to said carrier bag. 